Pattern Testing with @YarnsandCoffee!

Hello yarn friends! I am so excited to introduce Deepsha of @yarnsandcoffee for today’s Tester Tuesday feature! Deepsha is a crocheter, knitter, pattern tester, and all around yarn lover! Her maker journey started relatively recently, in 2020, and yet her talents are already extraordinary. In addition to being an extremely talented maker, one of the things that draws me into her account is her incredibly creative reels! From hilarious, relatable scenes to captivating dances, Deepsha has truly mastered the art of reels in the yarn community! Please enjoy this interview and then head to her Instagram to show her some love and support!

Tell us about @yarnsandcoffee! How and when did you get into yarn crafts? When and why did you start your Instagram account?

I picked up yarn and tried crochet for the first time in 2020, and shortly after learned to knit and fell in love. It really helped me get through the year of anxiety in a way I hadn’t experienced before. I was always an introvert so I started my Instagram account around the same time to push myself out of my comfort zone and feel confident with talking about myself. Since everyone on this new account was a stranger initially, it was actually easy to put out my true self and not fear judgment. It helped me a lot with self confidence, I would like to believe that with the support of this amazing community I have gone way past my comfort zone and found the most amazing people I have the privilege to call friends.

When and how did you first get into pattern testing? What brings you back to pattern testing/what is your favorite thing about it?

Shortly after I started to knit, I started seeing posts about test knitters and it felt like an awesome way to jump into learning something new with support from other people. I started with beanies to get my feet wet but I really fell in love when Claire (@perfectlyknotted) let me test knit a sweater for her even though I had never knit a garment. I got hooked on testing garments because I couldn’t believe I could make something that fits me so perfectly. What has kept me addicted is the amazing group of supportive folks I meet through these groups and the creativity of the designers I test for is awe-inspiring.

What is your least favorite thing about pattern testing? Do you ever feel burned out by it - and if so, what do you think causes that feeling of burn out?

I think my least favorite is taking pics. It’s because I have to find the perfect timing and mood to take pics, and if I am not feeling creative and happy while I take the pics, I feel as if I am not doing justice to the joy I felt making the piece. I counter this by taking multiple FOs for a ride on picture day when the energy strikes.

I have felt burned out quite a few times through my own lack of control and addiction to signing up for garment tests (you know what I am talking about!!!). Especially the tests with shorter deadlines took quite a toll on me because being a front row type of student not meeting deadlines is my nightmare. Initially I used to feel guilty if I didn’t sign up for a test for someone I feel a close connection with as well, which wasn't healthy. I am trying to now find that balance of saying no and instead show my support to the yarn community in other ways.

You've made a lot of garments this past year - how do you decide which garments to make? What types of garment patterns appeal to you the most?

Garments are addictive. Initially I used to sign up for things that look cool but are not practical to wear often. I have since learned that I LOVE showing off what I worked hard to make as much as possible, so now I am selective to test what I can wear often. I love testing for first time designers so I try to seek that out. I think it takes a lot to put a first design out into this world and I feel very inspired by these designers.

Let's talk about the reels! Reels are something many of us makers dread on Instagram, but you've got them down! Where do you find inspiration for your reels? And the dancing -- amazing! Do you have a background in dance? (Check out some of Deepsha’s reels here!)

If anyone dreads reels, I highly encourage checking out my initial reels. They were not my best work at all, but I think they are a reminder that we all start imperfectly and the dread dissipates over time and practice. For inspiration, I spend 30 minutes every week as my “idea time”. During this time I watch reels not for entertainment, but consciously to get ideas. If I see something trending or feel inspired that I could connect the reel to my yarn life, I save it for later. I then dedicate a completely different day to record all the reels and another to edit them when my mind is creative enough for the task. I also use the Splice app (no affiliation) a lot for editing, especially transitions, because it is really easy to use and I can focus my energy and time on being creative.

Regarding dancing, I used to teach Salsa in India and I love that through reels I have found a way to combine my two favorite hobbies. I promise though you don’t have to dance to make your reels be seen. My most popular reels are the ones I took 5 minutes to make and have some funny verbal audio that was trending at the time.

Do you have any advice for any testers or makers who may be hesitant to take on a garment test or make a reel showing off their handmades?

There are a lot of designers who are seeking relatively new testers or new yarn lovers, especially if they are designing something that they want to be beginner friendly. Your feedback is very valuable to them. I feel like a commercial saying this but the best way to get into testing is to just apply for it. It is an amazing way to meet folks in the community.

For reels, if you check out my initial reels, they were all over the place in terms of niche. It was my trial period to figure out what I enjoy making and what my audience enjoys. I feel I have a better grasp of it now. The only way to figure out if it is something you enjoy is to try it and put it out into the world. Your reels don’t have to be perfect and it would take a bit of trial and error to find what you enjoy. Another tip I have is try making a reel with another maker so you can share the nerves and build each other up, this community is kinda great at that. If you are struggling with ideas, you can also try Remixing a reel a fellow maker has created. That way you are able to build up on ideas from each other and drive visibility for the original and remixed reels. Reels are a great tool to reach a wider audience as they have a longer shelf life, so try it out and you can always pivot to something different if you don't enjoy a style of reels.

Shout out to some serial reelers you can get inspiration from - @gotham.knits, @kenzieknits, @oshenknits, @kbwebb, @andsosheknits

Do you have anything coming up or that you’re excited about and want to share!

I am super excited for my friend @Flosknitfits releasing her first garment design into the world this winter. It's a very cute bell sleeve sweater so make sure to keep an eye out for it. I am also testing my first non-chunky cardigan for @caidree and it's going to be a staple. I am learning new techniques with these tests which is another thing I love about testing.

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Thank you so much for reading this interview with the incredibly talented Deepsha of @yarnsandcoffee! Be sure to check out her Instagram page to show some support for her work!